Delaware vehicle inspection requirements

Frequency and due triggers

Safety inspection · renewal: Every two years; Before the biennial registration renewal.

Safety inspection · move in: Once before the first Delaware registration, then every two years; Before Delaware completes the first registration.

Safety inspection · private sale: Once before transfer registration when inspection is required, then every two years; Before Delaware completes transfer registration when inspection is required.

Safety inspection · dealer: Once before dealer registration when inspection is required, then every two years; Before Delaware completes dealer registration when inspection is required.

Safety inspection · retest: One safety reinspection after failure; After correcting the cited defect and before the inspection requirement can be cleared.

Emissions inspection · renewal: Every two years; Before the biennial registration renewal.

Emissions inspection · move in: Once before the first Delaware registration, then every two years; Before Delaware completes the first registration.

Emissions inspection · private sale: Once before transfer registration when emissions testing is required, then every two years; Before Delaware completes transfer registration when emissions testing is required.

Emissions inspection · dealer: Once before dealer registration when emissions testing is required, then every two years; Before Delaware completes dealer registration when emissions testing is required.

Emissions inspection · retest: One emissions reinspection after failure; After repairs and before the emissions requirement can be cleared.

VIN / identity inspection · renewal: With the biennial full-service inspection; With the biennial full-service inspection before registration renewal.

VIN / identity inspection · move in: Once before the first Delaware registration; Before Delaware completes the first registration.

VIN / identity inspection · private sale: Once before transfer registration when identity verification is required; Before Delaware completes transfer registration when identity verification is required.

VIN / identity inspection · dealer: Once before dealer registration when identity verification is required; Before Delaware completes dealer registration when identity verification is required.

VIN / identity inspection · retest: One repeat identity inspection after failure; After correcting the cited identity issue and before the transaction is completed.

VIN / identity inspection · private sale: transaction-only; Before transfer registration when the selected title branch requires verification.

Fees

Safety inspection: No inspection charge. Delaware DMV performs the biennial safety inspection at no charge.

Emissions inspection: No inspection charge. Delaware DMV performs the biennial inspection and emissions test at no charge.

VIN / identity inspection: No inspection charge. Delaware DMV performs the inspection-lane identity check at no charge.

VIN / identity inspection: No inspection charge. Delaware DMV performs the inspection-lane VIN verification at no charge.

What to bring

Registration renewal notice or current registration; Vehicle for the physical identity check; Out-of-state title, Delaware title/registration transfer documents, or prior failed inspection record, as applicable; Dealer-completed MV212A for a qualifying brand-new dealer vehicle; Out-of-state title or current Delaware title and transfer paperwork

High-impact exceptions

• Delaware waives the full-service inspection for vehicles no older than the 7 most recent model years (21 Del. C. § 2143(a)).
• A brand-new vehicle never titled in any state is exempt from Delaware's full safety-and-emissions inspection when the selling dealer supplies the completed Delaware MV212A title application. The dealer still completes the VIN verification recorded on that form.
• The selected failure was not a Delaware safety-item failure, so this retest situation does not require a safety reinspection.
• No additional safety inspection is due at this Delaware-title transfer when the buyer qualifies to continue the vehicle's existing registration and plates for the remainder of the current registration period. The ordinary inspection applies at the next renewal.
• Vehicles no older than the 7 most recent model years are excluded from Delaware inspection, including the emissions test.
• A vehicle powered solely by stored-battery electricity is exempt from Delaware emissions testing.
• Diesel-only vehicles of model year 1996 or older are exempt from Delaware emissions testing.
• A brand-new vehicle never titled in any state is exempt from Delaware's full safety-and-emissions inspection when the selling dealer supplies the completed MV212A title application.